Tanning in Youth in KFL&A

Skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer, however, most cases of skin cancer are preventable.¹  Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, or UV rays, can damage your skin cells and cause cancer.¹  You can be exposed to UV rays from being in the sun, and by tanning beds and lamps.¹    Some tanning bed lights give off 10 to 15 times more UVA radiation (UVA, or ultraviolet A, is a type of UV ray) as the sun.³  Thus, indoor tanning increases your risk of all major types of skin cancer, and in particular, the risk is higher for young users.^2,4,5,6  Tanning in your teens increases your risk of getting melanoma in your twenties.⁵   

Figure A.  Tanning bed use in young adults and adults in the previous 12 months, KFL&A*

*includes all tanning equipment use such as a tanning booth or sunlamp, for any reason including medical reasons.

*Use with caution due to high variability. 

Table A.

Tanning bed use in young adults and adults in the previous 12 months, KFL&A*, % (95% confidence interval)

*includes all tanning equipment use such as a tanning booth or sunlamp, for any reason including medical reasons.

**Use with caution due to high variability. 

Interpretation for Figure A

In KFL&A area for years 2005 to 2006 and 2012, there were significantly more young adults (18 to 29 years) than adults (30 years and over) who used tanning beds at least once in the previous 12 months.  In 2012, 14.0%** (8.9, 21.4), of young adults aged 18 to 29 years, used tanning beds or other tanning equipment in the last year.

**Use with caution due to high variability.

Figure B.  The use of indoor tanning equipment increases one's risk for skin cancer, KFL&A, 2012

NR - not releasable due to small numbers.

Table B. The use of indoor tanning equipment increases one's risk for skin cancer, KFL&A, 2012, % (95% confidence interval)

NR - not releasable due to small numbers.

Interpretation for Figure B

Studies have shown consistently that using indoor tanning equipment increases a person's risk of getting skin cancer.²   The International Agency for Cancer Research estimates that using indoor tanning equipment once a week from age 20, will double your risk for certain types of skin cancer by age 45.³

Among KFL&A area young adults, 62.9% (53.8, 71.1), strongly agreed that using indoor tanning equipment increased one's risk for skin cancer.  A further one-fifth 'somewhat' agreed.

Figure C.  The use of indoor tanning equipment is safer than tanning outdoors, KFL&A, 2012

*Use with caution due to high variability.

Table C. The use of indoor tanning equipment is safer than tanning outdoors, KFL&A, 2012, % (95% confidence interval)

*Use with caution due to high variability.

Interpretation for Figure C

Both indoor and outdoor tanning are harmful, as both increase your skin's exposure to damaging UV rays.²  Indoor tanning can give you high levels of UV radiation in short period of time.²  You can also get a burn from indoor tanning.² 

About half, 50.6% (42.0, 59.3) of KFL&A area young adults strongly disagreed that the use of tanning equipment is safer than tanning outdoors.  There were no significant differences between those aged 18 to 29 years and 30 years and over.

Figure D.  Getting a 'base tan', using indoor tanning equipment, helps to prevent skin damage before going on a tropical vacation, KFL&A, 2012

*Use with caution due to high variability.

Table D. The use of indoor tanning equipment is safer than tanning outdoors, KFL&A, 2012, % (95% confidence interval)

*Use with caution due to high variability.

Interpretation for Figure D

A base tan offers almost no protection from the sun or burning and, thus, does not help to prevent skin damage when exposed to the sun, such as, during a vacation. ^2,7  A tan is the body's response to injury from UV rays, and can lead to premature aging and skin cancer.^2,7  In fact, people who indoor tan are more likely to report getting sunburned.² 

Significantly more young adults, 18 to 29 years, 39.0% (36.4, 44.7) than adults, 30 years and over, 20.1% (18.1, 22.3) strongly or somewhat agreed that getting a "base tan" using indoor tanning equipment can help to prevent skin damage before going on a tropical vacation. 

Figure E.  Using indoor tanning equipment is a good way to boost vitamin D levels in order to improve overall health, KFL&A, 2012

*Use with caution due to high variability.

Table E.  Using indoor tanning equipment is a good way to boost vitamin D levels in order to improve overall health, KFL&A, 2012, % (95% confidence interval)

*Use with caution due to high variability.

Interpretation for Figure E

It is important to get enough vitamin D, however, the safest way to get vitamin D is through the foods you eat, or with supplements.^2,7  Tanning  beds are not a safe way to get vitamin D.⁷  Tanning can cause damage to your skin, by exposure to UV rays, and this increases your risk for skin cancer.^2,7

Significantly more young adults, 32.7% (24.8, 41.8), than adults, 12.3% (10.7, 14.1), strongly or somewhat agreed that using indoor tanning equipment is a good way to boost vitamin D levels in order to improve overall health.

Figure F.  People with darker toned skin do not have to worry about getting cancer, KFL&A, 2012

*Use with caution due to high variability.

NR - not releasable due to small numbers.

Table F. People with darker toned skin do not have to worry about getting cancer, KFL&A, 2012, % (95% confidence interval)

*Use with caution due to high variability.

NR - not releasable due to small numbers.

Interpretation for Figure F

Everyone's skin can be damaged by UV ray exposure.⁸  Although people of all skin types can develop skin cancer, people with lighter skin, are at higher risk of skin cancer.^3,8

The majority of young adults, aged 18 to 29 years, and adults, aged 30 years and over, in KFL&A area strongly disagree that people with darker toned skin do not have to worry about getting skin cancer.  

Figure G.  Using indoor tanning equipment without protective eyewear causes eye damage, KFL&A, 2012

*Use with caution due to high variability.

NR - not releasable due to small numbers.

Table G. Using indoor tanning equipment without protective eyewear causes eye damage, KFL&A, 2012 , % (95% Confidence Interval)

*Use with caution due to high variability.

NR - not releasable due to small numbers.

Interpretation for Figure G

Tanning without protective eyewear can expose your eyes to UV rays, which may cause painful, temporary injuries to the eye, including the cornea and conjunctiva.⁹  There may also be eye aging effects, such as browning of the lens and its loss of elasticity.⁹

More than three-quarters of young adults, 18 to 29 years, and adults, 30 years and over, in KFL&A area strongly agree that using tanning equipment without protective eyewear causes skin eye damage. 

The Rapid Risk Factor Surveillance System (RRFSS) is a random-digit-dialed telephone survey of adults aged 18 years and over, conducted by the Institute for Social Research at York University, on behalf of KFL&A Public Health. 

Researchers look at the "confidence levels" of percentages being compared to decide if there is a statistically significant difference between percentages.   If the 95% confidence intervals of two estimates do not overlap, there is considered to be a significant difference between the estimates.  A statistically significant difference means that:

• the difference between two percentages is unlikely to have occurred by chance alone, and
• there is likely a true difference or change in the percentages.

In this report, 95% confidence intervals will accompany each percentage in all figures and tables.  The true or actual percentage falls within the 95% confidence interval range 95 times out of 100.  A wide confidence interval reflects a large amount of variability or imprecision.  Usually, the larger the sample size, the narrower the confidence intervals.  In tables, the 95% confidence intervals will be written with the percentage, followed by the 95% confidence interval range in brackets, e.g., 25.3% (12.3, 32.4).  In figures, the 95% confidence interval are represented by error bars at the top of each bar (column).